The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered the Incorporated Trustees of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to pay ₦100 million in damages in a defamation case filed by two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Halilu Yusuf held that the claimants, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, established that SERAP made a false allegation that DSS operatives invaded its Abuja office on September 9, 2024.
The court ruled in favour of the DSS officials, stating that the statements were defamatory and damaging to their reputation.
In addition to the ₦100 million damages, the court ordered SERAP to publish a public apology to the operatives in two national newspapers and broadcast it on two television stations.
The judgment also included ₦1 million as cost of litigation, alongside a 10 per cent interest on the damages until full payment is made.
The case was heard at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.
